Gebrselassie Shares Secrets Of His Success

Haile Gebrselassie won two Olympic gold medals during his career. Photo: www.photorun.net

It’s all about discipline, commitment, and hard work.

Even though he’s 40 years old, former marathon world record holder Haile Gebrselassie isn’t done competing. The Ethiopian star was recently interviewed by the Times of Oman and shared some of his philosophies that have contributed to his incredible success.

“You have to have three things: discipline, commitment and hard work,” the two-time Olympic gold medalist said.

As he ages, Gebrselassie, who still trains twice a day, says things aren’t getting any easier.

“One of the secrets, thank you for reminding me, is to accept the pain.Without pain, no gain,” he admitted.

Though Gebrselassie, who is one of the richest athletes in his country, spends a lot of his time traveling outside of Ethiopia, he still says he eats the simple food of his native country: injera, an iron-rich, fermented pancake — plus lots of lean, raw meat.

“I want to show the youngsters what running means, I want to tell them ‘age is just a number’,” he says. “If you think you’re old, if you tell to yourself you’re old, if you’re old mentally, then you’re old automatically physically.”